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FEATURE
The Great Commission
Mass for Commerce and Unleashing the Gospel at Work
BY SARAH KITTLE
The Great Commission, as described
in Matthew 28:19-20,
outlines three essential commands
for believers: spread the Gospel,
encourage others to follow Jesus,
and teach His ways. It is a mission Jesus
entrusted to His apostles—and to
all of us who follow Him today.
Most adults spend more time at
work than on any other activity—
except perhaps sleeping. Yet many of
us don’t bring our whole selves to the
workplace. For Christians, that often
means hiding a key part of who we are:
our faith.
We are all called to live our faith
and, yes, to evangelize in everything
we do—including our work. Still, for
many, sharing faith in the workplace
can feel intimidating.
We may fear backlash,
company policies, or potential
legal consequences. And while
these concerns are real and must
be considered, they don’t mean we
should leave our faith at the door
when we arrive at work.
When we don’t talk about our faith,
we can feel isolated—like we’re the only
Christians in the room, stranded on an
island. But the reality is that more than
60% of Americans identify as Christian.
If you’re in a meeting of 20 people,
chances are about 12 of them are your
brothers and sisters in Christ.
It’s time to seriously consider what
it means to unleash the Gospel in the
workplace. If we are truly called to be on
mission, then the workplace is mission
territory. The question isn’t, “Should
we live and share our faith at work?”
The real question is, “How can we best
live and share our faith at work?”
The Mass for Commerce: A Space
for Catholic Professionals
On October 22, 2025, Catholic professionals
from across Southeast Michigan
will gather at Sacred Heart Major
Seminary for the 32nd Annual Mass for
Commerce—a longstanding tradition
that unites faith and business.
UTG founders Deacon Mike Houghton and Mary Martin.
Founded in 1993 by local businessman
Thomas Angott, the Mass for
Commerce offers a unique space for
Catholic business leaders to reflect on
the integration of faith and work. The
event includes a Eucharistic celebration
followed by a networking breakfast,
fostering both spiritual growth
and community connections.
The Mass for Commerce is an
opportunity for the Catholic business
community to spread the hope and joy
that come from knowing Jesus Christ
in the sharing of the Eucharist.
Participants seek the guidance
of the Holy Spirit and the strength of
their Catholic faith in their personal
and professional lives. The event is
open not only to business owners
and executives but to anyone who
works and is affected by the economy.
This year, the Chaldean American
Chamber of Commerce is participating
and promoting the Mass to its 1,000+
membership.
Following Mass, attendees gather
for breakfast at the seminary to build
fellowship and expand their professional
networks. In good times and
difficult times, the constant for the
Catholic business community is the
teachings of the Gospel.
“The Mass allows professionals to
tie their work to the life of the Church
and to connect with fellow Catholic
professionals,” said Deacon Mike
Houghton, executive director of UTG
(Unleash the Gospel) at Work, the
organization supporting the event.
He cited the organizational mission:
“In our ever-changing world, the
principles of stewardship, service, and
leadership are timeless.”
Launched in 2023, UTG at Work
helps Catholics live out their faith in
the workplace through podcasts, articles,
events and the Catholic Commerce
Directory. The initiative is led
by Deacon Mike Houghton and Mary
Martin, who bring deep ministry experience
and a passion for equipping
Catholic professionals.
Deacon Mike Houghton was ordained
a Catholic deacon in October
2012 and has served for more than a
decade at St. John Vianney Parish in
Shelby Township, Michigan, within
the Archdiocese of Detroit. After a
35-year career at General Motors, he
transitioned to full-time ministry as
Director of Missionary Strategic Plans
for the Archdiocese. In July 2023, he
assumed the role of executive director
of UTG at Work, where he leads efforts
to help Catholics live their faith in the
workplace.
Mary Martin brings more than
20 years of pastoral planning and
organizational leadership to UTG at
Work. Prior to joining the team, she
served as a coach and team leader in the
Archdiocese of Detroit’s Department
of Missionary Strategic Planning.
Passionate about evangelization and
small groups, she has developed
discipleship formation tools, launched
evangelization efforts, and created
opportunities for Catholics to live and
30 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2025
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